Sewer Backups

To prevent sewer backups and sewer issues, do NOT flush the following items down the toilet or pour them down the drain:

  • Be sure not to flush any masks, sanitary wipes, or gloves! These belong in your black garbage cart.
  • Fats, oils or grease; collect and dispose them into your green organics cart.
  • Any wipes (facial tissues, paper towel, disinfecting wipes, flushable wipes, fascial wipes, baby wipes and pet wipes) or other hygiene products; even products labelled as flushable can clog pipes.
  • Unused medications; take them to the pharmacy for disposal rather than flushing them down the toilet. Pharmaceuticals are not treated and end up in our water and environment.
  • Properly dispose of household hazard waste. Materials such as paints, glycol and motor oils are accepted at the Fort Saskatchewan Transfer Station year round.
  • Set aside pesticides, herbicides, solvents, and chemicals for the Toxic Round-Up collection event or take to an eco centre in the region.
  • Use your organics cart for vegetable peelings and food instead of a garborator. Ground organic materials cost more to treat and must be disposed of at the wastewater treatment plant.

Did you know?

You should call the City first if you are having a sewer backup:

Monday-Friday (8:00am – 4:30pm): 780-992-6208

After Hours: 780-439-7574

The call centre will take your information, and a utility operator will return your call within half an hour.

If you notice a non-urgent issue with the sewer, please contact us through Fort Report. A City employee will be in contact within 48 hours.

Learn how to prevent sewer backups before they happen and protect the environment. Visit theclog.ca.

The Clog